Thursday, 3 June 2004

The very dubious policy of only taking 14 players to England has already been shown up. With Bond and McMillan out of the game already and Fleming and Oram dubious starters we could struggle to put 11 players on the park.

I understand that Papps will come in for McMillan and that Oram will play, but only as a batsman. Matt Sinclair has been dragged in from league cricket should Fleming's ear infection rule him out.

With Oram not bowling, our attack will be even weaker than that which did so poorly in the first test. Tuffey, Martin and Cairns are the only pace men, while Vettori will provide spin. Not a prospect to put much fear into the opposition.